Wild turkey carrier

ABSTRACT

The invention is a specialized carrier for a wild turkey taken by a hunter. After shooting the wild turkey, the hunter simply removes the carrier from his pocket, fastens the carrier to the neck and feet of the turkey and then places the carrier over the shoulder to transport the turkey. The wild turkey is a heavy bulky bird and when carried in the traditional arm over shoulder position, the hunter can experience discomfort to the arm. This discomfort to the arm will require the hunter to take frequent rest stops if carrying the turkey long distances. The wild turkey carrier solves this problem by placing the weight of the turkey on the hunter&#39;s shoulder. The wild turkey carrier functions similar to the use of a shoulder strap on a heavy carry bag where the shoulder strap is the wild turkey carrier and the carry bag is the wild turkey. This simple concept allows the hunter to use both hands to safely carry a gun and other hunting equipment. The wild turkey carrier is comprised of a heavy shoulder strap with a heavy lace fastened to both ends and with a handle on one of the ends.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] Reference to Prior Application: Provisional Patent Application

[0002] U.S. Application No.: 60/268,535

[0003] Filing Date: Feb. 15, 2001

[0004] Name of Applicant: Russell O. Koxlien

[0005] Title of Application: Wild Turkey Carrier

[0006] Relationship of the Application: This application was theProvisional Patent Application for the Utility Patent Application beingfiled at this time.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0007] This invention relates to a specialized carrier for a wild turkeytaken by a hunter. More specifically, it relates to a specializedcarrier that substantially improves the ability of the hunter totransport the wild turkey comfortably and hands free. After shooting thewild turkey, the hunter simply fastens the carrier to the neck and feetof the turkey and then places the carrier over the shoulder to transportthe turkey out of the woods.

[0008] Wild turkey hunting is an ever increasing and popular sport dueto the successful wild turkey restoration and management programsthroughout the United States. As the popularity of the sport progresses,it is very important that hunter comfort and safety be maintained toinsure a quality hunt. The challenge of the hunt is very rewarding andthe wild turkey is a tasty treat.

[0009] After shooting the wild turkey, hunters customarily grasp bothlegs of the turkey with one hand and then swing the turkey over theirshoulder to carry it. A wild turkey can weigh between 15-25 pounds andgets very heavy to carry when transported in this manner in a very shortperiod of time. Consequently, the hunter needs to make frequent stops torest the fatigued arm resulting from holding that much weight in anawkward arm up position. During these frequent rest stops, the hunterwill need to remove the turkey from the shoulder to rest the fatiguedarm. This procedure needs to be repeated until the hunter hastransported the turkey from the woods. Frequent rest stops increase thetransportation time, which can be a problem, because it is important toproperly take care of the turkey meat as quickly as possible to preventspoilage.

[0010] To add to the problem, the successful hunter has a gun and otherequipment to carry from the woods at the same time. If the hunter usesthe customary arm over shoulder method to carry the turkey, this leavesonly one hand free to carry the gun and other equipment, posing anunsafe gun handling condition.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The wild turkey carrier will allow the hunter to transport theturkey out of the woods easily, comfortably, safely, and on a timelybasis.

[0012] Once the turkey has been taken, the carrier is removed from thehunter's pocket and simply fastened to the neck and feet of the turkey.The shoulder strap is placed over the hunter's shoulder. With thecarrier attached to the turkey and placed over the hunter's shoulder itfunctions similar to a carry bag with a shoulder strap. The turkey willbe suspended under the hunter's arm leaving both hands free. Unlike thecustomary method of grasping the turkey by both feet and swinging theturkey over the hunter's shoulder, the wild turkey carrier allows thehunter to carry the turkey from the woods without having to hold an armin a very uncomfortable position. The shoulder strap of the carrierplaces the weight of the turkey on the hunter's shoulder and not on thehunter's arm.

[0013] An advantage of the wild turkey carrier is it's simplicity andit's ability to be folded into a lightweight and compact size. Thecarrier can be easily folded up and placed in the pocket of a huntingcoat or hunting vest, ready for use when a wild turkey is taken. Thecarrier's simple all-in-one design allows it to be easily placed overbulky hunting coats or hunting vests without removing any clothing orfastening any buckles or straps. After the hunter has transported theturkey out of the woods, the carrier can remain on the turkey to aid thehandling of the bulky turkey though the registration process and thefinal trip back to the hunter's destination.

[0014] The wild turkey carrier in use allows both hands to be free tocarry a gun and other equipment out after a successful hunt. The turkeyis suspended under the hunter's arm and does not hinder the hunter'sstride when walking. A 15-25 pound turkey can be carried with ease usingthe wild turkey carrier. The handle on the wild turkey carrier is usedto readjust and steady the load of the turkey on the hunter's shoulderwhen necessary. Since the weight of the turkey is supported by thehunter's shoulder, hunters can carry the turkey out of the woods withcomfort. The result is that the hunter can get out of the woods on atimely basis and properly take care of the turkey to prevent meatspoilage.

[0015] Other features and advantages of the wild turkey carrier will bedescribed in the following drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

[0016]FIG. 1 is a plan view of the wild turkey carrier.

[0017]FIG. 2 is a side perspective view showing the wild turkey carrierin use.

[0018]FIG. 3 is a detail view showing how the wild turkey carrier isfastened to the turkey's neck.

[0019]FIG. 4 is a detail view showing how the wild turkey carrier isfastened to the turkey's feet.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] Referring specifically to the drawings, reference number 10 isused to designate the wild turkey carrier invention. The wild turkeycarrier 10 has a leg loop 12, a head loop 14, a handle 16, and theshoulder strap 18.

[0021]FIG. 1 shows the wild turkey carrier construction. The carrier 10,consists of a ⅛ inch thick×1¾ inch wide×12 inch long cowhide leathershoulder strap 18, two ⅛ inch×⅛ inch×40 inch long latigo leather lace12, 14 and a 1¼ inch diameter×5½ inch long wooden handle 16. One latigoleather lace 12 is doubled up and strung through a ¼ inch hole punchedin the cowhide leather shoulder strap 18, with a knot tied in theshoulder strap end and a 6 inch long loop tied in the other end. Theother latigo leather lace 14 is doubled up and strung through two{fraction (3/16)} inch holes in the other end of the cowhide leathershoulder strap 18. The doubled latigo leather lace is then strungthrough a ¼ inch hole drilled through the wood handle 16. The latigoleather lace is then tied in a knot to secure the handle in place.

[0022]FIG. 3 shows the wild turkey carrying device 10 fastened to theneck of the turkey. The wooden handle 16 is slid up the latigo leatherlace 14 to form a loop to go around the turkey's neck. The turkey's headis secured by sliding the wooden handle 16 back down the latigo leatherlace 14, forming a tight noose around the turkey's neck.

[0023]FIG. 4 shows the wild turkey carrying device 10 fastened to thefeet of the turkey. The loop end of latigo leather lace 12 is fed backthrough itself to form a noose that is placed around both of theturkey's feet.

[0024]FIG. 2 shows the wild turkey carrying device 10 in use. Once theloop of 12 is placed around both legs of the turkey and loop of 14 isplaced around the neck of the turkey, the hunter places the wild turkeycarrier over the shoulder with the head of the turkey to the front. Thehunter can now easily and comfortably carry the turkey out of the woods.

Having described my invention I claim:
 1. A hunter's wild turkey carriercomprising: a. a dimensioned and configured shoulder strap (18) havingfirst and second ends; b. a lace (12) dimensioned and configured toextend from the first end of the shoulder strap (18) to form a leg loopon the opposite end; c. a second lace(14) dimensioned and configured toextend from the second end of the shoulder strap (18) and then threadedthrough the handle (16) with a knot tied in the lace to form a head loopon the opposite end of the handle; whereby the ability of the hunter totransport the wild turkey easily, comfortably, safely, and on a timelybasis is substantially improved.
 2. A hunter's wild turkey carrier asdescribed in claim 1, wherein: The shoulder strap (18) has one hole onthe first end dimensioned and configured to allow the doubled thicknessof the lace (12) to pass through it and two holes on the second enddimensioned and configured to allow a single thickness of lace (14) topass through each hole.
 3. A hunter's wild turkey carrier as describedin claim 1, wherein: The handle (16) is dimensioned and configured toconform to the human hand and to allow the doubled thickness of lace(14) to pass through it longitudinally.